Diary of Guarding Monster Girls

First of all, the Mist Monastery itself is independent of the Frost Crystal Kingdom, and with its immense power, it doesn't need any recognition.

Not to mention, they've been there longer than the history of the Frost Crystal Kingdom—rather, it's the Frost Crystal Royal Family that are the newcomers.

Secondly, the Misty Mountains occupy a third of the entire Frost Crystal territory, and it even has a natural harbor, but it's a barren land ravaged by Demons, full of crises.

The Kingdom had thought of developing that area, but after three or four rounds of attempts over a period of more than fifty years, they only managed to push the residential areas forward by a few dozen kilometers, and it's still far from the main range of the Misty Mountains.

Since it's completely an undeveloped wilderness area with no actual control, giving it away wouldn't have any impact.

Why not seize the opportunity to do a good turn?

Reinhardt looked at Herbert's shocked expression, laughed, patted his shoulder, and specially emphasized: "But, remember, it's not being given to the Mist Monastery, but to... you!"

Herbert: ?

Eh?

How did you know I wanted that?

Although Herbert didn't speak the words aloud, his thoughts were clearly written on his face.

Old Deng, are you reading my mind too?

"Hahaha!"

Reinhardt burst into laughter:

"Did you really think you could fool me? Don't you know who's been watching you grow up?"

"Besides, I've been dealing with the group of old fogies at the Monastery for so many years, of course I know they have no interest in that territory."

"But since you asked for it, I'll give it to you!"

Reinhardt didn't ask what Herbert wanted the land for.

No need to.

Since you want it, I'll give it to you.

"What do you think? Am I amazing or what? Hahaha! Cough cough..."

After laughing and then coughing, Reinhardt finally continued, "Since that's the case, your fief will be arranged there."

Herbert hesitated, timidly raised his hand, and said: "But I don't want to inherit the Silver Wings title..."

I, I don't want to!

The King waved his hand dismissively and said, "If you don't want to inherit, don't inherit. Can't I just give you another one?"

"Uh... alright then."

Herbert was at a loss for words.

What kind of forced love... forced care is this from elders to juniors?

Take it, it's for the kids!

And after opening up the conversation, it became more relaxed between the two of them.

Herbert recounted some of his experiences in the Monastery, and the King listened about what had happened during his coma.

Toward the end of the conversation, Reinhardt hesitated, coughed, and asked: "By the way, you and Philia, between the two of you..."

Reinhardt tentatively started to mention it, but upon seeing Herbert's calm eyes, he stopped halfway and shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Alright, alright, don't look at me like that, I won't meddle, okay?"

Not long after waking up, Reinhardt noticed the problem.

This pair of once-close childhood friends never appeared in front of him together, and they both seemed particularly calm, even indifferent, when mentioning each other.

"I won't get involved in your matters; you decide for yourselves. So you don't piss on my tombstone later, hahahaha!!! Cough cough cough..."

He laughed, waved it off, and then picked up the cup of wine beside the bed.

"Whether friends, strangers, or even enemies, it's all your own lives."

"As a father, I can only say she probably has her own reasons."

Herbert also laughed, lifted another wine cup, clinked it gently with his, and shook his head without responding.

He whispered in his heart:

"Who in this world doesn't have their own reasons?"

"But what's gone is gone."

.

.

While Herbert and the King were conversing in the bedchamber, another conversation was simultaneously taking place outside.

In the depths of the Royal Palace garden, Valentina was looking smugly at Philia, emitting occasional provocative hums.

"Hum hum~ hum~"

The Little Princess she was staring at was full of question marks.

Philia: ?

What's wrong with her?

The Princess furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Valentina, turned her head, not wanting to engage, and continued gazing at the remaining flower patch in the garden.

Though it was already the end of November, and temperatures across the Kingdom had started to drop, with layers of snow already fallen, there was one special flower in the Frost Crystal Kingdom.

The Frost Crystal Flower, the national flower of the Frost Crystal Kingdom.

It is said to be a wild rose transformed by the blood of the Frost Snow Giant Dragon, able to bloom in harsh winters with certain special medicinal effects to replenish the vitality of the wounded.

She was waiting in the garden to pick the flowers the moment they bloomed and freeze them... it was just an excuse.

The real reason, perhaps, was known only to her own heart.

However, as soon as Philia turned her head, that annoying Giant Dragon actually followed her line of sight.

Da da da...

Beneath the nun's long dress, her little steps tapped quickly, her upper body still but her feet moving swiftly, as she whooshed to stand in front of Philia.

"Hum hum~"

"???"

Philia opened her eyes wide, utterly baffled by the other person's actions at that moment.

What are you doing?

Do you even see what you are doing!!?

"..."

She took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and turned to look in another direction.

Turn left.

Da da da.

"Hum hum!"

"..."

Turn right.

Da da da.

"Hum↑ hum↓"

"...Tsk."

Philia really didn't want to make eye contact with Valentina, but this annoying one was like an unshakeable fly, constantly appearing right in front of her.

Finally, after the two had played "cat and mouse" for half a day in the garden, Philia resignedly spoke: "...What do you actually want?"

She surrendered.

She knew Valentina's status, and if she weren't unable to defeat her, she would have frozen that annoying one solid!

Seeing Philia finally speak, Valentina smiled smugly.

Hum hum!

Victory is mine!

I won!

Then she moved to stand right in front of Philia, assuming a victorious and condescending posture, and declared:

"He is mine!"

She lowered her gaze, fixing her vertical pupils, as if burning with flames, onto those icy eyes, and pronounced each word clearly:

"He is mine!"

Boom!

An invisible heat wave erupted from her vertical pupils, instantly sweeping through the entire garden, melting all the frost crystals on the Frost Crystal Flowers.

Under this terrifying pressure, Philia wanted to retreat, but she was held fast by two vice-like hands on her shoulders, forcing her to face the horror directly.

Valentina stared at Philia, revealing a grotesque and seductive smile, and proclaimed once more:

"He is mine!!!"